Watford and Arsenal drew 2–2 in a dramatic Premier League game at Vicarage Road.
Watford came into this fixture bottom of the table, a decision that prompted the board to make the shock decision to sack manager Javi Gracia after just four games in charge, and reappoint Quique Sánchez Flores again, who had previously been in charge at the club for the 2015 – 2016 season.
But despite their lowly status, it was Watford who had all the all chances and play, with Gerard Deulofeu in sparkling form on the left-wing. It was against the run of play, therefore, when Arsenal took the lead in the 21st minute.
Dani Ceballos made a tackle on half-way line, allowing Seead Kolasinc to break forward. His pass found Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who turned and fired home with his right foot in one movement. He almost added a second soon afterwards when he just failed to get on the end of a cross from Mesut Ozil, but then did score again when a pass from Mesut Ozil cut out the full-back and Ainsley Maitland-Niles slid his cross to the back post for Aubameyang to score.
The second half was a completely different story, with Watford taking almost complete control. Deulofeu was at the heart of almost everything, as the Gunners could not cope with his pace and trickery. However, when Watford did score, it down to disastrous defending by Arsenal. There appeared to be no danger when they had a goal kick, but they chose to play it short, Socratis passed it straight to Deulofeu standing 10 yards away, and Tom Cleverley slammed the ball home.
After that, Watford kept pressing for an equaliser. Deulofeu found substitute Ismaila Sarr who turned away from the defending, but pulled his shot wide. Then the ball broke to Deulofeu on the back post, and his cross shot scraped the far post. They did, though, get the equaliser they so richly deserved when David Luiz adjudged to have brought down Roberto Pereyra, and a penalty was awarded. Pereyra took it himself, and sent Bernd Leno the wrong way.
Then, in injury time, Watford had a golden chance to win the match. Abdoulaye Doucouré broke through the middle, played the ball to Sarr, and then got the ball back with a clear shot at goal from 15 yards. Unfortunately, he shot straight at Leno and the chance was lost.
Watford stay bottom but, if they play with the same spirit, will not remain there for long.